Ogun Police Rescue 3 Children, Arrest Suspected Child-Stealing Gang

The Police Command in Ogun State says it has arrested three women suspected to be members of a child-stealing gang and rescued three children in Ibafo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.

The command's Police Spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Abeokuta.

Babaseyi said detectives attached to the Ibafo Division arrested the suspects — identified as Kikelomo Jimoh, 36; Kayode Elizabeth; and Blessing Anochike, 60 — following a sustained, intelligence-led investigation into a reported case of child stealing that first led to Jimoh's arrest.

According to him, Jimoh allegedly confessed during interrogation and subsequently led detectives to Anochike's residence, where three children were rescued: Christiana Olowokere, 14; Olamilekan Abdurosheed, 16; and Rebecca Adeniji, 12.

Babaseyi said preliminary investigations indicated that Olowokere had allegedly been sold for N500,000, while Abdurosheed — who had earlier absconded from his parents — was allegedly abducted. He added that the circumstances surrounding Adeniji's movement and custody remain under investigation.

The spokesperson confirmed that all three children have been rescued and are currently safe, while the suspects remain in police custody. "The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet and comprehensive investigation. The investigation will establish the full circumstances of the case, determine the roles played by the suspects, and identify other persons who may be connected to the alleged criminal enterprise," he said.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the detectives for their swift response and investigative diligence. He urged parents, guardians, community leaders, schools, transport operators, and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities involving children.

Ojajuni reassured residents of the command's commitment to detecting and dismantling criminal networks that target vulnerable members of society, urging the public to report unexplained disappearances, suspicious movements, or unusual custody arrangements involving children. "A child's safety is everyone's responsibility. See something; say something; stay safe," he said.